Setae C1 Research Articles

Morphological ontogeny of Fuscozetes kamchatkicus sp. nov. (Acari: Oribatida: Ceratozetidae) from Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia), with comments on Fuscozetes

A new species, Fuscozetes kamchatkicus sp. nov., including its morphological ontogeny, from Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) is described and illustrated. The adult of this species is smaller and slimmer than congeners and has longer prodorsal seta le than in; in other species in is longer than le. In F. kamchatkicus the shape of the translamella varies (usually is present, but may be narrow as a line or absent), while in other species the translamella is present. The juveniles of F. kamchatkicus differ from congeners by several morphological characters that are unique in Fuscozetes Sellnick, 1928, e.g. they lack a humeral organ, which is present in other species. The larva lacks a humeral macrosclerite, whereas other species have it. In F. kamchatkicus the gastronotal setae are inserted on unsclerotized integument, whereas in other species they are inserted either on the gastronotal shield or microslerites. The nymphs of F. kamchatkicus have a humeral macrosclerite and a gastronotal shield, which is typical of Fuscozetes and Sphaerozetinae (Ceratozetidae), but the humeral macrosclerite bears seta c1, while setae c2 and c3 are inserted on unsclerotized integument, whereas in other species the humeral macrosclerite is glabrous and setae c2 and c3 are inserted on microsclerites. In F. kamchatkicus setae p2 and p3 are inserted on unsclerotized integument, whereas in other species they are inserted on a macrosclerite. In the juveniles of F. kamchatkicus most gastronotal setae are barbed, except of the d-series in the nymphs, which are thinner than other gastronotal setae and smooth. The diagnosis of Fuscozetes is modified and enlarged with the morphological characters of juveniles.

Crocidurobia faini n. sp. (Acariformes: Myobiidae), a new mite species parasitising shrews of the genus Crocidura Wagler (Soricomorpha: Soricidae) in DR Congo.

A new species Crocidurobia faini n. sp. (Acariformes: Myobiidae) recorded on Crocidura denti Dollman (type-host) (Soricomorpha: Soricidae), Crocidura cf. niobe Thomas, Crocidura cf. littoralis Heller, and Crocidura sp. from DR Congo is described. This new species differs in both sexes from all other species of the subgenus Crocidurobia Jameson, 1970 by short setae c2, more than three times shorter than setae se. Females of the new species differ from those of the close species Crocidurobia toroensis Dusbabek, 1983 by setal bases e2 situated slightly anterior to the level of setal bases e1; males of the new species differ by the genital shield bearing five pairs of setae situated anterior to the level of setal bases d1.

<p><strong><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Morphological ontogeny, distribution and ecology of <em>Edwardzetes edwardsii</em> and <em>Sphaerozetes orbicularis </em>(Acari: Oribatida: Ceratozetidae)</span></strong></p>

In this study the morphological ontogeny, distribution and ecology of Edwardzetes edwardsii (Nicolet, 1855) and Sphaerozetes orbicularis (C.L. Koch, 1835) were investigated. The latter species looks strikingly similar to S. piriformis (Nicolet, 1855), and was recognized by a rounded distal part of lamellar cusp, which in S. orbicularis had an outer spine. However, the shape of the lamellar cusp varies in Norwegian adults of S. orbicularis being rounded or with one or two spines, which puts in question the validity of S. piriformis. Our study on the morphology of juveniles of these two morphological forms of S. orbicularis also indicates that they are identical, so we provisionally consider S. piriformis as a junior synonym of S. orbicularis (syn. nov.). The juveniles of E. edwardsii and S. orbicularis have a humeral organ and a humeral macrosclerite, which is common in Sphaerozetinae, and carry seta c1 on the humeral macrosclerite. In the juveniles of E. edwardsii most gastronotal setae are of medium size and blunt, but the gastronotal shield of the larva is divided in two parts, whereas in the nymphs this shield is uniform. In all juvenile stages of S. orbicularis the gastronotal setae are short and the gastronotal shield is uniform. The adult of E. edwardsii has a rounded rostrum and 10 pairs of long notogastral setae, including c2, whereas that of S. orbicularis has rostrum with two deep incisions and 11 pairs of short notogastral setae, including c2 and c3, which is typical of Sphaerozetes Berlese, 1885, but unique in Sphaerozetinae. Edwardzetes edwardsii has a holarctic distribution, whereas S. orbicularis is a Palaearctic species. The former species prefers forest litter, whereas the latter species prefers moss.

<p><strong>Nymphs of two <em>Pedrocortesella</em> species, with remarks on ontogeny of Licnodamaeidae <em>sensu lato</em> and Licnobelbidae (Acari, Oribatida)</strong></p>

Abstract The juvenile stages of oribatid mites of the family Licnodamaeidae sensu lato are poorly known, and little information is available on the morphology of ontogenetic stages. Herein, the nymphs and exuvial scalps of two species, Pedrocortesella fusca (Rjabinin, 1986) and P. inaequalis (Balogh & Mahunka, 1965) are described and illustrated. The nymphs are generally similar in their habitus. Basic characteristics of nymphs are: the lightly sclerotized and unpigmented body, slightly stockier than adults with tuberculate cerotegument; lateral sides of body as well as epimeral and anogenital regions are distinctly folded; nine (c1–c3, lp, h1, h2, p1–p3) or eight pairs of gastronotic setae (setae c2 absent in P. inaequalis); conspicuously concaved or nearly rounded posterior end of gastronotum; exuvial scalps with slightly folded reticulate sculpture, without adherent materials, lightly fastened to gastronotum of nymphs, but their adults do not carry exuvial scalps. Both are Palaearctic species, currentl...

Morphological ontogeny, distribution and ecology of Arthrodamaeus italicus and A. mongolicus (Acari: Oribatida: Gymnodamaeidae)

ABSTRACTThe morphological ontogeny of Arthrodamaeus italicus (Berlese, 1916) and A. mongolicus Bayartogtokh & Weigmann, 2005 is investigated for the first time. The juveniles of these species have long legs and are covered with granular cerotegument, which is typical of Gymnodamaeidae, but A. italicus has smooth cuticle on the gastronotum and setiform setae, whereas A. mongolicus has plicate cuticle and leaf-like setae. The larvae of both species lack seta h3, but the former species also lacks paraproctal setae. The nymphs of both species lack gastronotal setae la, lm and the d-series and carry the exuvial scalps of previous instars, which is typical of eupheredermous Brachypylina (Circumdehiscentiae). Arthrodamaeus italicus uses the long seta c3 and medium sized and curved setae c1, lp and h1 to protect these scalps against loss, whereas A. mongolicus uses the plicate cuticle. However, these four setae only weakly connect the exuvial scalps to the gastronotum of A. italicus, and the nymphs usually lose these scalps during extraction in alcohol, whereas the plicate cuticle firmly connect these scalps to the gastronotum of A. mongolicus and the nymphs bear them. The nymphs of these species have a well-developed posterior excrescence, with two pairs of setae (h1 and p1), also typical for Gymnodamaeidae, and probably is of defence importance. Arthrodamaeus italicus is a European centromeridional species, whereas A. mongolicus is known only from Mongolia. The former species is more abundant in cypress litter, but was also found in pine, yew and bush litter, whereas the latter species lives in moss and bush litter. In A. italicus, the juveniles usually dominated, whereas in A. mongolicus, the juveniles were as abundant as the adults.

<p><strong>Marine associated mites (Acari: Oribatida: Ameronothroidea) of the African continent: biogeography, new species and distribution records</strong></p>

Abstract A new species of fortuyniid mite, Alismobates keniaensis sp. nov., from the coast of Kenya is described and an assessment of the biogeographic distribution pattern of marine associated ameronothroid mites occurring on African coasts is provided. Alismobates keniaensis sp. nov. represents the first record of the genus Alismobates from Africa and this species can be easily distinguished from its congeners by the position of notogastral seta C1 on the lenticulus, fifteen pairs of notogastral setae, relatively long interlamellar setae and drop-shaped granular cavities next to acetabula IV. A further intertidal species, the selenoribatid Schusteria melanomerus, was also found on Kenyan shores indicating that this species shows a continuous distribution along the eastern African coast from Kenya to Mozambique. Basically, the subtropical and tropical Fortuyniidae and Selenoribatidae are concentrated along the south-eastern shoreline of Africa whereas the cold-adapted Ameronothridae mainly occur at the s...

New species and records of phytoptid mites (Acari: Eriophyoidea: Phytoptidae) on sedges (Cyperaceae) from the Russian Far East.

Two new phytoptine species, Oziella virgata n. sp. and O. ovalis n. sp., were collected from the Russian Far East on sedges, Carex appendiculata (Trautv. & C.A. Mey) Kükenthal and Kobresia myosuroides (Villars) Fiori, respectively, and are described herein using conventional light microscopy (LM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). In addition, Oziella cf. rigida (Roivainen 1950) was recorded from Carex scita var. riishirensis (Franch.) Kük. in the Kamchatka Peninsula whilst Novophytoptus rostratae Roivainen 1947 was found on Carex saxatilis L. and C. appendiculata in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) of Russia and Carex soczavaeana Gorodkov on the Kamchatka Peninsula. Oziella virgata n. sp. has a unique rod-like seta u' on the medial-lower surface of tarsi I & II, a character not previously described in eriophyoid mites. Additionally, the position of setae 3a in nymphs and females differs: these are located on the same annulus as tubercles of setae c2 in nymphs whereas in females, those are situated notably ahead of tubercles c2 (closer to coxae II). Males of O. virgata n. sp. possess a well-developed genital coverflap, resembling that of Mackiella reclinata Chetverikov & Craemer, 2014, Pentasetacus araucariae (Schliesske, 1985) and Loboquintus subsquamatus Chetverikov & Petanović, 2013. The original slidemounted specimens of the new Oziella species described herein were inappropriate for LM study. However, CLSM microscopy images obtained prior to remounting were sharp enough for diagnostic purposes indicating that this is a useful method for studying poor quality specimens which may otherwise be difficult to remount or, in some cases, are very rare.

A new feather mite of the genus Pteronyssoides Hull, 1931 (Astigmata: Pteronyssidae) from thrushes (Passeriformes: Turdidae) in the New World.

A new feather mite species, Pteronyssoides turdinus n. sp. (Acariformes: Pteronyssidae), is described from two species of thrushes, Turdus amaurochalinus Cabanis (type-host) and T. leucomelas Vieillot (Passeriformes: Turdidae) in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The new species belongs to the parinus species group and most clearly differs from previously known species of this group by the following features: in both sexes of P. turdinus, setae c2 are anterior to the level of the sejugal furrow; in males, the anterior margin of the hysteronotal shield has a deep trapezoidal concavity, setae d1 are situated on the striated tegument, the adanal shield is represented by a narrow longitudinal sclerite, and tarsus and tibia of legs IV are subequal in length; in females, the opisthosomal sclerites are split into proper opisthosomal sclerites and pygidial fragments encompassing the bases of setae h2 and h3. This is the first description of a feather mite of the genus Pteronyssoides Hull, 1931 from birds of the family Turdidae.

Morphological ontogeny of Melanozetes azoricus with comments on Melanozetes (Acari: Oribatida: Ceratozetidae)

In this study the morphological ontogeny of Melanozetes azoricus Weigmann, 1976 is described and illustrated for the first time and compared with that of other species of Melanozetes Hull, 1916. The juveniles of M. azoricus have a humeral organ and a humeral macrosclerite, with seta c1, that is typical of Melanozetes, and all juvenile stages and adult have broad leg femora, with large ventral carina, which often occur in Melanozetes. The juveniles of M. azoricus differ from those of other species by the shape of most gastronotal setae, whereas the adult differs mainly by the body size, shape of lamellar cusp, presence and shape of the translamella and shape of notogastral setae. The diagnosis of Melanozetes is unclear in literature, but we follow the setal diagnostic character of Melanozetes (14 pairs, including c2 and c3) that is supported by the size of humeral macrosclerite in the juveniles, with seta c1, and the length and location of solenidion ω2 on tarsus I of nymphs and adults; this solenidion is longer than ω1 and is located anterolateral to ω1. In Fuscozetes Sellnick, 1928, which is sometimes mistaken with Melanozetes, solenidion ω2 is shorter than ω1 and is placed posterolateral to ω1. A revised diagnosis of Melanozetes is proposed, systematic status of some species of Melanozetes is discussed and M. azoricus floresianus is proposed as a synonym of M. azoricus.

Morphology, distribution and certain population parameters of the Arctic mite Oribatella arctica (Acari: Oribatida: Oribatellidae)

In this study, the morphology, distribution, ecology, stage structure and sex ratio of the Arctic oribatid mite Oribatella arctica (Thor, 1930) were investigated. The juveniles of this species are similar to those of other species of Oribatella Banks, 1895, possessing mostly long and barbed prodorsal setae, long and barbed gastronotal setae in the larva and long, barbed peripheral gastronotal setae in the nymphs. The larva of O. arctica differs from that of most other Oribatella species principally by the shape of the sensillus and the length of seta le. Nymphs differ chiefly by the number and shape of some central setae (c1 and d-series) on the gastronotum and the attachment of the exuvial scalps of previous instars to the gastronotum. All nymphs of O. arctica have central setae c1, da and dm short and smooth, whereas the presence and shape of seta dp varies between nymphal stages (it can be long and barbed, short and smooth, alveolar or absent). Oribatella arctica nymphs rarely carry the exuvial scalps on the gastronotum, but if so, these scalps are fastened to the gastronotum, using setae c1, c2 and of l-series, whereas most of other species of Oribatella carry the exuvial scalps, using special muffs that are formed while moulting on the apical parts of setal pair da. The adult of O. arctica appears initially similar to other species of Oribatella, but differs mainly in the shape of the lamella and lamellar cusps, presence of translamella, shape of the sensillus, length of most notogastral setae, location of setae lp, h2 and h3, body size, number of claws on legs, and shape of epimeral seta 4c.

Morphological and ecological differentiation of Eupelops and Propelops (Acari, Oribatida, Phenopelopidae)

In this study, the morphological and ecological differentiation of Eupelops Ewing, 1917 and Propelops Jacot, 1937 were investigated in the light of Eupelops strenzkei and Propelops canadensis. The juveniles of these species have plicate integument and a dorsoventrally flattened hysterosoma, with short and thin setae c1, c3 and of d-series on the gastronotum, whereas the shape of marginal gastronotal setae differs in these species. The juveniles of P. canadensis have all these setae short and thin, except for setae lp and of h-series in the tritonymph, which are usually longer and thicker than other setae, whereas those of E. strenzkei have most marginal setae on the gastronotum longer and thicker than other setae, especially lp and h1 in the larva and h3 in the nymphs. Moreover, P. canadensis has short seta h3 in the larva, whereas in E. strenzkei only a vestige of this seta remains, as in other Eupelops species, and this morphological character has generic value. The deutonymph, tritonymph and adult of P. canadensis have solenidion φ on tibia IV, but lack seta d, whereas those of E. strenzkei have thick seta d on this segment, but lack solenidion φ, as in other Eupelops species, which have also generic value. The adults of both species have 10 pairs of notogastral setae, including c2, but in P. canadensis setae lp and h3 are inserted close to each other, with porose area A1 between them, as in some species of Eupelops, whereas in E. strenzkei these setae are separated, with porose area A1 adjacent to seta lp, as in other species of Eupelops. The adults of both species have ventrodistal apophysis on genu I, as in other species of Eupelops and Propelops. All instars of E. strenzkei have secondarily anarthric subcapitulum, as other Eupelops species, which are used to remove dead parenchymous tissue, whereas those of P. canadensis have diarthric subcapitulum and normal chelicerae, which crumble the litter.

New species of the feather mite genus Promegninia Gaud & Atyeo (Acari: Avenzoariidae) from petrels and shearwaters (Procellariiformes: Procellariidae).

Two new species of the feather mite genus Promegninia Gaud & Atyeo, 1967 (Avenzoariidae: Bonnetellinae) are described from procellariids in the northeasterm Atlantic Ocean: Promegninia bulweriae n. sp. from the Bulwer's petrel Bulweria bulwerii (Jardine & Selby) and P. calonectris n. sp. from the Cory's shearwater Calonectris borealis (Cory) (Procellariiformes: Procellariidae). Males of P bulweriae n. sp. are most clearly distinguished from the other known species in the genus by having short legs III extending only to the level of lobar apices and short conical tarsi III with lanceolate ventral seta w; females of this species are characterised by the absence of additional sclerites at postero-lateral angles of the prodorsal shield. Males of P. calonectris differ from the other known species in having bidentate terminal lamellae on the lobar apices and the entire adanal shield; females of this species are distinguished by having well-developed pygidial shields and a hysteronotal shield encompassing the bases of setae c2. Sequence data of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene fragment (COI) are also obtained for the new species. An updated diagnosis of Promegninia and a key to the known species are provided.

Morphology, distribution and ecology of Eupelops curtipilus and Eupelops plicatus (Acari, Oribatida, Phenopelopidae)

In this study, the morphology, distribution and ecology of Eupelops curtipilus (Berlese, 1916) and E. plicatus (C. L. Koch, 1835) are investigated and morphological characters of Eupelops Ewing, 1917 are discussed. The juveniles of these species have plicate integument and a dorsoventrally flattened hysterosoma, with short and thin setae c1, c3 and of d-series on the gastronotum, which is typical of Phenopelopidae, whereas the length of marginal gastronotal setae differs in these species. Eupelops curtipilus has these setae short, except for a long and thick posterior seta h1 in the larva and h3 in the nymphs, whereas Eupelops plicatus has them longer and thicker, especially setae lp and h1 in the larva and h3 in the nymphs. The adults of E. curtipilus and E. plicatus have long, phylliform seta in, 10 pairs of notogastral setae, including three pairs of p-series, and three pairs of adanal setae, which are typical of Eupelops, but differ by the length and location of some notogastral setae. Eupelops curtipilus has all these setae short, including h1, whereas E. plicatus has them longer, especially h1. The former species has setae lp and h3 inserted close to each other, with porose area A1 between them, whereas the latter species has setae lp and h3 separated and A1 at the insertion of seta lp. The adults of both species have ventrodistal apophysis on genu I, which may have generic value. The juveniles and adult of E. plicatus have more long and thick setae on the leg segments than those of E. curtipilus. Eupelops curtipilus is considered a Palaearctic species, whereas E. plicatus is Holarctic.

Two new species of the feather mite genus Analloptes (Trouessart, 1885) Acariformes: Astigmata: Xolalgidae) from passerines (Aves: Passeriformes) in Brazil.

Two new feather mite species of the genus Analloptes Trouessart, 1885 (Acariformes: Xolalgidae) are described from suboscine passerines (Passeriformes) in Brazil: Analloptes giganteus sp. n. from Conopophaga lineata (Wied) (Conopophagidae) and A. cnemotricci sp. n. from Cnemotriccus fuscatus (Wied) (Tyrannidae). These are the first Analloptes species described from passerine hosts. Within the genus Analloptes, the two described species constitute a distinct species group characterized by the presence of setae ve and c1 in both sexes and by having the paragenital apodeme free from coxal structures in males.

Two new species of tarsonemid mites (Acari: Tarsonemidae) from northeastern Brazil.

Two new species of tarsonemid mites, Daidalotarsonemus annonae sp. nov. and Fungitarsonemus setillus sp. nov. found on Annonaceae leaves collected in northeastern Brazil are described and illustrated. Females of D. annonae are similar to those of D. serissae, but differ by having setae c2 setiform, and seta 1a distant from apodeme 1. F. setillus is similar to F. pereregrinus, but females can be distinguished by having the prodorsal shield fused to tergite C, dorsal setae h and d short, and setae c1 longer than c2.

Ontogeny of morphological traits in Phenopelopidae (Acari: Oribatida)

In this study, the complete ontogenetic development of morphological traits in Phenopelopidae was investigated on the base of juvenile and adult specimens of Eupelops hirtus (Berlese, 1916) and Peloptulus phaenotus (CL Koch, 1844) and literature. The juveniles of Eupelops Ewing, 1917, Peloptulus Berlese, 1908 and Propelops Jacot, 1937 show plicate integument and a dorsoventrally flattened hysterosoma, with short setae c1, c3 and of d-series on the gastronotum, which seem to be typical of Phenopelopidae. However, the juveniles of Eupelops and Peloptulus have some or all marginal setae on the gastronotum longer and thicker than other setae, at least one setal pair on the posterior part of gastronotum (h1 in larva and h3 in nymphs), whereas those of Propelops have these setae long or short. The juveniles and adults of Eupelops and Peloptulus differ distinctly from those of Propelops in the type of subcapitulum and chelicerae; the two former genera have the subcapitulum secondarily anarthric and the chelicerae pelopsiform, whereas the latter genus has the subcapitulum diarthric and the chelicerae normal. The adults of Eupelops and Propelops have 10 pairs of notogastral setae, including c2 and 2–3 or three pairs of p-series, respectively, whereas that of Peloptulus has eight pairs, including c2 and p1 (p2 and p3 are lost). The two former genera have also setae of ad-series, whereas the latter genus lacks them. In Eupelops seta in is long and phylliform, whereas in other genera it is setiform; long in Propelops and short or long in Peloptulus. In all genera the anterior part of notogaster protrudes over the prodorsum as a tectum, but in Eupelops this tectum is considerably larger than in other genera.

Variability of external morphology of Eueremaeus Mihelčič, 1963 (Acari, Oribatida, Eremaeidae) in the light of ontogeny of four species

In this study the variability of the external morphology of Eueremaeus Mihelčič, 1963 was investigated, in the light of the ontogeny of Eueremaeus oblongus (C.L. Koch, 1835), Eueremaeus intermedius Mihelčič, 1963, Eueremaeus silvestris Forsslund, 1956 and Eueremaeus travei Mihelčič, 1963 and the literature. Morphological variability occurs in all species and includes mainly the presence and size of foveae in different parts of body of the juveniles, shape of femora I–IV of nymphs and shape of prodorsal lamellar costulae and tubercles between the bothridia of the adults. Eueremaeus intermedius and Eu. silvestris are considered by some authors as synonyms of Eu. oblongus, but in the light of our observations these species differ by the morphology of the juveniles and adults from Eu. oblongus, so we provisionally reject these synonyms until the type or topotypic material of these species can be compared. All these species are relatively similar in the larva, and differentiation of their morphology increases during ontogeny and is well observed in the tritonymph. The tritonymph of Eu. intermedius has distinctly shorter setae in, h3 and p2 than those of Eu. oblongus and Eu. silvestris, whereas the tritonymph of Eu. silvestris has longer sensillus, with slimmer head than those of Eu. intermedius and Eu. oblongus. The adult of Eu. intermedius has prodorsal lamellar costulae more widely separated than in Eu. oblongus and Eu. silvestris, shorter seta in and larger subtriangular post-anal process than in these species, whereas the adult of Eu. silvestris has longer sensillus, with slimmer head than in Eu. intermedius and Eu. oblongus. The latter species has barbed anal setae, whereas other two species have these setae smooth. The nymphs of Eu. travei have stocky femora I–IV, with dorsal serrate keels, whereas in other species these segments are slimmer and without dorsal keels. The adult of Eu. travei is larger, more stocky and has longer prodorsal lamellar costulae than those of other species. We observed in the adult of Eu. oblongus for the first time setae c3 and c1 on the notogaster, which inform about the order of loss of these setae in the Eremaeidae.

Calamicoptes anatidus sp. nov., a new quill wall mite (Acari: Laminosioptidae) from the Greater Scaup Aythya marila (L.) (Aves: Anseriformes).

Calamicoptes anatidus sp. nov., a new species of rarely found parasitic mites of the family Laminosioptidae (Acari: Astigmata) is described from quill walls of wing covert feathers of Aythya marila Linnaeus (Anseriformes: Anatidae) captured in Poland. This is the first record of the family Laminosioptidae on birds of the order Anseriformes and the first record of this mite family in the fauna of Poland. Females of the new species are most similar to those of C. arenariae Lombert, Gaud et Lukoschus, 1984 and differ from them by the presence of the pygidial shield, which covers dorsal and ventro-lateral parts of the opisthosoma, and by having setae c2 and d2 short and subequal in length, and setae se and cp not reaching the metapodonotal shield.

Allopsoroptoides galli n. g., n. sp., a new genus and species of feather mites (Acari: Analgoidea: Psoroptoididae) causing mange in commercially raised domestic chicken in Brazil

A new feather mite, Allopsoroptoides galli n. g., n. sp. (Psoroptoididae: Pandalurinae), is described from the domestic chicken, Gallus gallus (Linnaeus) (Galliformes: Phasianidae), from Brazil. This is the first record of a representative of the feather mite family Psoroptoididae from an avian host of the order Galliformes. The new genus is closely related to the genus Cygnocoptes Fain & Bochkov, 2003 but clearly differs from the latter and all other genera of the family by the loss of four median pairs of hysteronotal setae (c1, d1, e1, and h1) in both sexes and by the unique shape of the male opisthosoma. Instead of the bilobate opisthosoma, the male opisthosoma in this genus has a narrow and long median projection, ending with a pair of semi-ovate terminal lamellae. These mites were first detected during a mange outbreak in several commercial poultry facilities in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

A new genus and species of pterodectine feather mite (Acari: Proctophyllodidae) from Tod-Tyrants in Brazil (Passeriformes: Tyrannidae)

A new genus and species of feather mite, Hemitriccodectes furcatus gen. nov., sp. nov., is described from passerines of the genus Hemitriccus from Brazil: Hemitriccus furcatus, H. margaritaceiventer and H. striaticollis (Tyrannidae). The new genus belongs to the Pterodectes generic complex and most clearly differs from previously established genera of this complex by the following combination of features: trochanteral setae sRIII are present, and solenidia σ are absent from genua III. The new genus also lacks dorsal hysteroromal setae c1.